VoIP Now

Skype to Add Video Conferencing

Skype, a peer-to-peer Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service, will add video conferencing, short messaging system (SMS), and voice mail in 2005 in the Taiwan market.

According to DigiTimes:

In addition, PChome recently completed the development of USB phones for a variety of Skype’s VoIP applications in cooperation with an unnamed Taiwan-based manufacturer, said Luo. The product is currently awaiting verification from the headquarters of Skype Technologies in Switzerland.

Read more: Taiwan market: Skype to add video-conferencing service in 2005

PC Phone with VoIP

In 2005, the Internet will threaten the phone industry like never before, with VoIP becoming more commonplace. Should PC users turn their computers into their phones?

According to the Globe and Mail:

Among the attractions of Internet telephone service, already in an estimated 600,000 households nationwide, are inexpensive, often unlimited local and long-distance calling plans and less red tape when compared to conventional phone service. In addition, many of the Internet phone providers have rolled out new features and options made possible by the decentralized nature of Internet technology.

The growth in new features is attributable to a jump in the number of companies providing Internet phone service (known as VoIP for voice over Internet protocol), each vying for a slice of a growing pie of new subscribers and differentiating themselves on options as well as price. Sorting through these plans may take some time, but it can pay off in the form of greater savings and more features.

Read more: Should your PC be your phone?

VoIP Security

Voice over IP is heading for the big-time with most major telecommunications carriers currently readying VoIP services for mass deployment. But how secure is the fast-growing technology?

According to TMCnet.com:

Because most VoIP traffic over the Internet is unencrypted, anyone with network access can listen in on conversations. Eavesdropping is one of the most common threats in a VoIP environment. Unauthorized interception of audio streams and decoding of signaling messages can enable the eavesdropper to tap audio conversations in an unsecured VoIP environment.

Read more: How Secure Is VoIP?

Open-Source Software Will Influence VoIP

Jeff Pulver, who heads the Voice on the Net (VON) conferences and publications, gave his predictions on how VoIP would take shape in 2005. He believes that open source software will have a big effect on VoIP PBXs and that many VoIP startups will launch IPOs.

According to ITnews.com.au:

Pulver said the open source software movement in VoIP is gathering momentum faster than is generally realised. He pointed to the effort by Asterisk users worldwide to create a VoIP PBX.

"They are developing a sophisticated PBX on a PC with the (capability) of a US$100,000 PBX," he said. "It will be a world class PBX that runs on Linux. You can have a PBX for the cost of a PC."

Read more: Open source software set to influence VoIP

VocalNet Announces B-to-B VoIP Program

According to TMCnet.com:

VocalNet, Inc. announced today the continued national rollout of its “Powered by VocalNet” Partner Program which eliminates the costly infrastructure investment and time to market delay associated with VARs providing VoIP & iPBX Services to their Small to Medium sized business customers.

Participating Partners leverage VocalNet’s investment in a State of the Art QOS VoIP Infrastructure, Nationwide Carrier Independent Private Network, Proprietary Class 5 IPBX Soft Switch Technology and Redundant Data Centers.

VocalNet provides two distinct Partner Programs, The Agent Program and the Private Label Program.

Read more: VocalNet Announces National Rollout of B-to-B VoIP Partner Program

AOL Canada to Offer VoIP in Toronto

AOL Canada will begin offering VoIP services in the greater Toronto area over the next few weeks. AOL TotalTalk is a residential service that will be offered to all high-speed Internet users, regardless of whether or not they are AOL subscribers.

According to ZDNet:

AOL Canada plans to offer the service for $16.10 (19.95 Canadian dollars) during a three-month introductory phase and then to increase it to $28.20 a month. Customers will receive free unlimited subscriber-to-subscriber calling and 60 minutes of North American talk time per month.

The service will include such features as locating the VoIP subscriber at up to three locations, voice mail that can be delivered in a traditional fashion or as an e-mail and the ability to use a TotalTalk phone number anywhere that the person can access a high-speed Internet connection.

Read more: AOL Canada to spread VoIP

Vonage, Viseon to Do Video VoIP

Vonage has partnered with Viseon with plans to add video calling services to its Session Initiation Protocol (SIP-based) VoIP service next year.

According to eWeek:

For Vonage, which already bundles its service with adapter-equipped routers from Linksys and Netgear Inc., the expansion into videophone services could open up new market opportunities nationwide.

He said the company will target the SMB (small and midsized business) market looking for affordable videoconferencing services. In addition to its consumer offerings, Vonage hawks special service plans for SMBs.

Read more: Vonage Adds Video to VOIP Service

IM Firms Should Invest in VoIP

Major instant messaging firms such as America Online, MSN, and Yahoo should integrate VoIP technology into their existing services, according to ABI Research.

From vnunet.com:

The ABI Research report predicts that these benefits would flow both ways: the larger IM company would gain instant entry to a new market with tremendous growth potential, and the smaller VoIP provider would enjoy vastly increased resources, credibility and a huge existing customer base.

Consumers would benefit from the ability to integrate computer-based voice messaging with their landline phones.

With such a merger, the analyst said, emerging VoIP providers would be able to compete more effectively against the cable and traditional telcos looking at VoIP revenue.

Read more: IM firms urged to buy into VoIP services

VoIP Provider i2Telecom Distribution Agreement with WLG

World Leadership Group (WLG) will resell i2Telecom's new VoiceStick VoIP device. The initial order is for 1,200 units.

According to the press release at Business Wire:

Under the agreement, WLG will begin offering i2Telecom's VoiceStick(TM) and a customized VoIP plan to WLG's realty division, Global Realty Marketing, and immediately private label the product as "WLG Connect".

"Our new distribution agreement with WLG demonstrates the immediate interest and appeal of our breakthrough, patent-pending VoiceStick(TM) technology. We look forward to expanding into WLG's other divisions and gaining sell-through traction with WLG's independent sales representatives, following this initial roll-out," stated Paul Arena, chief executive officer of i2Telecom International, Inc.

Read more: i2Telecom Announces Distribution Agreement with World Leadership Group; Initial Order for 1,200 VoiceStick Devices

BT Switches to VoIP Call Center Network

BT has switched its call center network to a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system.

According to ComputerWeekly:

Reaching the right person to solve a problem can be difficult in a large organisation such as BT, and customers can often find their call transferred several times, each transfer obliging them to explain their problem again.

BT recently promised to make it easier for customers to reach the right person, and so its call centre agents need to be able to transfer calls - and accompanying information about the customer's identity and reason for calling - to the appropriate place.

With the new system, "We can move calls around the business to support BT's 'My customer promises'," said Alf Ellis, head of BT's internal voice solutions.

Read more: BT switches its call centre network to VoIP

i2Telecom Announces VoiceStick VoIP Device

i2Telecom today announced the launch of its newest VoIP service technology, VoiceStick. The VoiceStick is a plug-and-play keychain-sized device that inserts into a computer's USB port, allowing for cheap domestic and international calls over the Internet.

According to RedNova News:

"With the VoiceStick(TM), i2Telecom will deliver a revolutionary new level of VoIP mobility that allows users to stay connected globally, at a fraction of normal long-distance or cellular costs," stated Paul Arena, chief executive officer of i2Telecom International, Inc. "As the first to-market with this breakthrough patent-pending product, we have a tremendous head start on any potential competition."

"The VoiceStick(TM) is the easiest and most cost-effective VoIP solution for college students, business travelers, or anyone who makes long-distance calls from multiple locations."

Read more: i2Telecom Announces Breakthrough VoiceStick Technology; Revolutionary Patent-Pending VoIP Access Device Provides Long-Distance Callers With Unparalleled Mobility